Living Simply

Meal prep is faster and easier if you have things on hand that you use often to create a variety of meals. Also, the more you make from scratch, the less you have to keep on hand. Here is what I make sure to keep well stocked at my house. I can make many meals from scratch that are healthy for my family, easy and quick to prepare and inexpensive. We spend about $70/week on food and household items (TP, diapers, napkins, etc. ) for a family of four (! know, one is a breastfeeding baby, but I'm counting my husband as two -- he eats as much as two men!).Baking Supplies Whole wheat flourSucanat (Natural unprocessed sugar)Various Spices Coconut oil, virgin Olive Oi, extra virgin Corn Meal Baking soda Baking powder, alluminum free VanillaSea SaltCocoa PowderChocolate ChipsPantry SuppliesNatural Peanut ButterMayonaisseBrown RiceOatmealHoney, rawDried Beans -- black, red/kidney, garbonzo, etc.LentilsWhole Wheat PastaRaisinsCanned FruitsApple Cider VinegarFridge SuppliesYeast Applesauce, unsweetened Yogurt, homemade Parmesean Cheese Chunck Cheese ButterEggs Milk Fresh Fruits (in season or what is cheap)Fresh Veggies (in season or what is cheap)OnionsGarlicMilled Flax SeedMustard Homemade Ranch DressingFreezer SuppliesCornPeasGround Beef/VenisonChickenBerries -- strawberries, raspberries, blueberriesHomemade pizza doughHomemade chicken brothButter -- I stock up when it is on sale and store it in freezer until I need it.Pureed veggies/fruit -- I use my food processor to puree fruits and veggies if we will not use it all before it goes bad; then I freeze it and add then to various recipes.Supplies I used to keep on hand, before going "no nightshade"Canned tomato sauce, no additives -- to make into pasta sauce, pizza sauce, soup, etc.PotatoesSalsaKetchupShredded Cheese, pre-packaged -- they use potato starch to prevent clumping!